Legolas had never encountered such beauty as that possessed by the Lady of Light in his whole life. Her fair silky skin, her tall and slender feature, her majestic and graceful movement, her deep and immeasurably wise blue eyes, all captivated the young Elf's heart. But what charmed him most was her hair. Her long glittering golden hair held a shine he could not comprehend, a shine of Something enchanting and unnatural.
'Nay,' Legolas shook his head and turned away. 'It is undeniable that she is beautiful, but I cannot let this Evil seduce me and blind me from her true form.'
Galadriel smiled inside, knowing what the young Elf thought and felt. Only few noticed that she actually could read someone's mind without seeing into their eyes, especially when the person was young and unguarded. Nenya, her powerful Elven ring, had enabled her to do so.
The storm had stopped. The air was cool and refreshing as if the raging storm had purified the nature. The sky had been brightened once again by beautiful stars and moonlight. Some owls hooted from afar; crickets and toads were singing happily, enhancing the merry atmosphere of the night. The gloomy weather which had just passed, had seemed to be forgotten.
The Lady leaned against a tree bark. She felt overwhelming fatigue after the troublesome day she just went through. She gazed upon the stars which she loved with passion, as all Eldar did. Her thought wandered back to Lothlorien and she could feel a pang of worry bite her soul. 'Now that I am gone, who will sustain my beautiful land? Who will comfort the grief of my husband and little Arwen? Great is my wish to bear this burden alone, but I can not help but causing sorrow to my beloved ones.' Finding no consolation in her mind, she softly hummed a song Celebrian used to sing when she was a child:
"A, Eärendil, melane-tye
Sillye mi mornië lómëlnya
Tana men an vanwan
Anta estel talantië
Eärendil, a,ancalima elCal alcarlya mi Rómen amaurëa
Tir menya ana mar
Ványë vanwa men mi raica maller"
Legolas could not help but mesmerized by her sweet simple song. Quenya was never a familiar language to him, and he was mystified as he heard the beautiful ancient words from his ancestors being sung by her deep voice. A curiosity started to emerge in his mind, 'what kind of evil could possibly be done by this beautiful creature? Why does my teacher pursue her as if it is the most important goal in his life?'
The young Elf tried to find the answer by turning to find Langolin. He supposed Langolin must be very delighted at their success in capturing his greatest adversary. But to his surprise, Langolin did not. His teacher was sitting away from all of them as always, sinking into his thought with expressionless face. There was something different, however. Legolas keen eyes caught a glance at his teacher's eyes and found him self shocked, for there was not slightest sign of joy or happiness. Instead he found that Langolin's eyes, which were usually icy cold, now were burning with hatred and rage mixed with sorrow and confusion. Legolas shuddered and turned away.
"Legolas, bring the Witch some food," Daeross yelled to his younger brother while he laid beside the fire.
Galadriel raised one of her eyebrows as she heard the name given to her. They had not treated her as a most honorable guest so far, but she wasted no time and energy to protest. She was too wise to be bothered by such an insignificant matter but still she could not find any amusement in being called a Witch.
"A minute, Daeross." Legolas got up and went to bring Galadriel food. He had tried to stay away from her, afraid that she would bewitch him, but his suspicion was not proven. He was even bewildered at the warmth and brightness that surrounded the Lady whom he supposed to be evil and dark.
"Thank you," she smiled gracefully as Legolas handed her the food and unlocked her chained wrists without saying a word. She had no desire to eat whatsoever, but she was drawn to this young Elf. Above all, he was the only person among these warriors she was attracted to. She could sense that Legolas possessed a kind and gentle nature few warriors had, and yet held a great potential to be a hero, though still childishly innocent and naïve. Legolas reminded Galadriel of herself when she was young. 'Nay,' she thought silently. 'This young warrior is different, for he has a pure soul, unlike me who stained my hand with my kin's blood and defiled my heart with ambition.'
Legolas chained her back after she ate and took away the rest of the food she could not finish. Galadriel suddenly found a spark of humor in the situation, which urged her to laugh. 'Do they ever think about how feeble this chain is for a "witch" like me? I can break it effortlessly and flee within seconds without them even noticing.' She did not laugh, however. A sudden thought surprised her, for she became aware of one thing that never crossed her mind before, 'I can escape if I am willing, but do I want to?'
**************************
The real poem:
Earendill, how I love thee
Thou light in my darkest night
May you show the way to the lost
Bringing hope to those who are fallen
Oh Earendill, the brightest star
Shine your glory in the rising dawn
Guard my journey back to home
Lost I will not in twisted road.